The Future of Aviation Gasoline

The Future of Aviation Gasoline Michael France, Director, Regulatory Affairs, NATA Rob Hackman, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, AOPA 2011 NATA FBO Leadership Conference Savannah, Georgia February 2011 NATA GA Avgas Committee Coalition Discussion AirVenture Page 1

Factors Affecting Long-Term Availability of 100LL Avgas Economic There is no assurance of long-term supply of leaded avgas Currently a single supplier of tetra-ethyl-lead (TEL) additive Avgas is specialty chemical or niche fuel Very low volume - accounts for 0.1% of all transportation fuel U.S. Fuel Production 2008 Barrels Per Day Avgas 15,000 Auto Gas 8,548,000 Auto Diesel 4,294,000 Jet Fuel 1,493,000 Page 2

Factors Affecting Long-Term Availability of 100LL Avgas Environmental Significant reductions by all other sources of lead Aviation is now largest source (over 45%) 2006 petition by Friends of the Earth to regulate GA lead emissions under the Clean Air Act EPA regulatory actions on lead Page 3

EPA Regulatory Actions on Lead: Near-Term National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Lead 10-fold reduction in allowable limit Requires monitoring near major sources and populated areas States must meet new NAAQS for lead by 2017 This is not a ban on 100LL Air Quality Monitoring at 15 airports - Announced in Dec 2010 Gather data on airports contribution to non-attainment areas Year long study to begin in 2011 and completed in 2012 Requirement is on the state, not the airports Monitoring will have no impact on operations Page 4

Monitored Airports Merrill Field, Anchorage, AK Pryor Field Regional, Limestone, AL Palo Alto Airport, Santa Clara, CA McClellan-Palomar, San Diego, CA Reid-Hillview, Santa Clara, CA Gillespie Field, San Diego, CA San Carlos, San Mateo, CA Nantucket Memorial, Nantucket, MA Oakland County Int., Oakland, CA Republic, Suffolk, NY Brookhaven, Suffolk, NY Stinson Municipal, Bexar, TX Norwest Regional, Denton, TX Harvey Field, Snohomish, WA Auburn Municipal, King, WA Page 5

EPA Regulatory Actions on Lead: Long-Term Step 1: Endangerment Finding on Lead from GA ANPR marked the beginning of the endangerment finding process A finding itself does not ban 100LL Additional rulemaking would be required Step 2: Aircraft Engine Emission Standards EPA must consult with the FAA Requires multiple rulemaking steps Cannot Impact noise or safety Step 3: FAA develops and prescribes fuel standards Required after EPA creates emission standards Requires multiple rulemaking steps Page 6

Members of GA Avgas Coalition GA Aircraft Operators AOPA Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association EAA Experimental Aircraft Association NBAA National Business Aviation Association GA Aircraft Manufacturers GAMA General Aviation Manufacturers Association Avgas Point of Sale - Fixed Based Operators NATA National Air Transportation Association Avgas Producers API American Petroleum Institute NPRA National Petrochemical & Refiners Association Page 7

GA Avgas Coalition Purpose: Role: Result: To collaborate, coordinate and provide leadership on development and implementation of the process by which an unleaded avgas solution will be identified Has the unique capacity to provide a balanced approach on the establishment of the process This process will provide the information necessary for the marketplace to identify the best solution which is technically feasible and economically reasonable Page 8

Important Points 1. There is NO date set by which EPA will ban 100LL 2. The process being undertaken by the coalition will allow for ALL proposed alternatives to be equally evaluated and considered Page 9

Important Points 3. Its more than just octane the appropriate solution must meet other important technical parameters necessary for safety and take into account economic and availability considerations. 4. We have to get this right. The industry will be affected by the outcome of this transition for generations. We have time and must use it to ensure that every aspect is considered. Page 10

This is Not a New Issue 20 years of R&D for a drop-in high-octane unleaded fuel A drop-in fuel requires NO modification or FAA approval for each aircraft Lab tested more than 200 unleaded blends FAA full-scale engine tests on 45 high-octane unleaded blends Finding No drop-in unleaded replacement for 100LL has been identified Page 11

Avgas Coalition Plan Establish a process to identify the most viable unleaded solution to replace 100LL by taking into account: Aviation safety Environmental improvements Technical feasibility/aircraft operations Economic impact Fuel production, distribution and cost Two separate strategies will address near-term and long-term EPA regulatory actions Near-term strategy will support compliance with NAAQS Long-term strategy will address endangerment finding and identify a replacement for 100LL Page 12

Near-Term Strategy Provide near-term reduction of lead emissions from GA Evaluating a drop-in 100 ultra-low-lead (ULL) to replace 100LL Envisioned to require no actions from manufacturers or operators The use of 100ULL would lower total lead emissions in airport areas where monitoring may determine the current NAAQS standard is not being met NATA GA Avgas Committee Coalition Discussion AirVenture Page 13

Long-Term Strategy 5 phases to the development and transition to an unleaded avgas Phase 1 Establish FAA-led public-private partnership Develop and implement an integrated FAA program to provide the information necessary for the marketplace to identify the best unleaded solution which is technically feasible and economically reasonable. Unleaded Avgas Transition ARC Chartered last week Joint government/industry committee Identifying key issues and providing recommendations relating to the development and deployment of an unleaded avgas. NATA GA Avgas Committee Coalition Discussion AirVenture Page 14

Long-Term Strategy (continued) Phase 2 Identify viable unleaded avgas specification Evaluate current D910 fuel specification to determine which parameters can be adjusted Identify and support research needs for development of an unleaded avgas specification Define all criteria for a viable unleaded avgas Assessment of candidate fuels to the defined criteria Develop engine and aircraft certification process to transition existing fleet to a new fuel NATA GA Avgas Committee Coalition Discussion AirVenture Page 15

Long-Term Strategy (continued) Phase 3 Phase 4 Phase 5 Develop and approve an ASTM fuel specification Certify new production aircraft to new fuel specification Only affects new production engines and aircraft Would require dual certification for unleaded and 100LL Avgas EPA/FAA regulate transition to unleaded avgas Transition timeline dependent upon level of impact - FAA approvals and certifications necessary for safety - Avgas production and distribution infrastructure Regulation may need to consider special provisions if there are portions of the fleet that cannot transition within the timeline NATA GA Avgas Committee Coalition Discussion AirVenture Page 16

Core Principles of Coalition Plan to Unleaded Fuel 1. Assure Safety 2. Minimize Impact on Existing Fleet 3. Ensure Sustainability and Growth of GA Page 17

Core Principles of Coalition Plan to Unleaded Fuel 1. Assure Safety The FAA is the U.S. agency responsible for aviation safety. Their leadership in this process is critical Like 100LL, the most viable alternative must meet many performance requirements necessary for safety Fuel performance Octane, vapor pressure, distillation curve (cold/hot/altitude start), freeze point, water separation, stability, etc. Aircraft performance Rated power (climb, single engine, high altitude, etc.), range, materials compatibility (tanks, bladders, seals, etc.) Page 18

Core Principles of Coalition Plan to Unleaded Fuel 1. Assure Safety (continued) The process for identifying and transitioning to the most viable fuel is complex and work-intensive Must develop FAA certification process to transition the existing fleet to a new fuel Unprecedented effort to recertify entire fleet NATA GA Avgas Committee Coalition Discussion AirVenture Page 19

Core Principles of Coalition Plan to Unleaded Fuel 2. Minimize Impact on Existing Fleet The coalition is managing all current regulatory actions in an effort to ensure the continued availability of 100LL until an alternative is identified, certified and transitioned to The process to identify the best unleaded fuel solution will take into account the entire fleet and the impact upon all types of aircraft and operators Will provide the information necessary for the marketplace to determine the best fuel at the best price Page 20

Core Principles of Coalition Plan to Unleaded Fuel 3. Ensure Sustainability and Growth of GA The coalition is working to minimize the impact of the transition to an unleaded avgas The coalition will work to ensure that the unleaded fuel will be available at a sustainable price for decades to come Page 21

Coalition Activities Relationship with EPA Years of educating the agency on complexity of issue, safety concerns, economic impacts, etc. Granted an extension to ANPR comment period. Coalition to submit comments that will: Emphasize need for FAA leadership, address questions, highlight the need for more data and analysis, provide more information on safety and economic impacts, present a plan for transition Partnership with FAA Direct dialogue with Administrator and senior staff Continue to stress need for FAA leadership and attention to the issue Certification hurdles, funding, staffing, etc. R&D support through FAA tech center activity NATA GA Avgas Committee Coalition Discussion AirVenture Page 22

Coalition Activities (continued) Congressional Activity Briefings to legislators and their staff have resulted in Support for extension of the ANPR comment period Congressional interest in FAA reauthorization and appropriations activities related to identifying an alternative avgas Appropriation of an additional $2M in the FAA s 2011 research and development budget specifically intended for avgas and support for increased FAA role NATA GA Avgas Committee Coalition Discussion AirVenture Page 23

Summary This is a very complex issue that will take a number of years to resolve Coalition is calling for FAA leadership and the formation of a public-private partnership The result will lead to one of the most significant and sweeping changes that our industry has ever experienced Until an alternative fuel is identified, the GA Avgas Coalition will work to ensure that 100LL remains readily available Page 24